Electrical junction and switch boxes

ABSTRACT

An electrical service box is shown as having a main body formed of longitudinally extending body portions of generally cylindrical outer surfaces whereby the main body is capable of being slidably received in a mounting hole having a periphery which at least closely approaches the cross-sectional configuration of such outer surfaces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to boxes for completing electricaljunctions, as for example, with electrical outlet assemblies and/orelectrical switch assemblies generally carried therein and moreparticularly to electrical boxes employed as a part of a retrofit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is not unusual to have a situation wherein, for example, a home orother structure is already completed and then it is desired to add otherelectrical outlets and/or switches to such already completed home orother structure. The addition of electrical outlets and/or switches, ofcourse, requires that cooperating electrical boxes or housings also beinstalled so that such electrical outlet assemblies and/or switchassemblies will be safely contained thereby in order to prevent thecreation of hazards, resulting in, for example, a fire arising from anunshielded electrical outlet assembly and/or switch assembly.

Heretofore, according to the prior art, such additional electricaloutlets and/or switches were provided by first drilling relatively smallpilot-like holes through the wall facing, which may be of wood panel,plaster or other material, and then using a key-hole saw, or the like,start at such pilot-like holes and proceed to cut a box-like openingthrough the wall. Thereafter, an electrical box is inserted into andgenerally through the cut box-like opening and suitably secured as tothe wall. Following that, the electrical outlet assembly or theelectrical switch assembly is generally inserted into and operativelyconnected to the mounted electrical box.

One of the problems of the prior art apparatus and procedure is that itconsumes an excessive amount of time for completing such aninstallation.

Accordingly, the invention herein disclosed is primarily directed to thesolution of the aforestated as well as other related and attendantproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Apparatus

According to one aspect of the invention, an electrical service boxmountable in walls and cielings, comprises a main body, said main bodycomprising at least first and second body portions, said first bodyportion comprises a first generally arcuate wall portion, said secondbody portion comprises a second generally arcuate wall portion, whereinsaid first and second generally arcuate wall portions are joined to eachother at first and second longitudinally extending junctures spaced fromeach other, end wall means formed generally transverse to said first andsecond longitudinally extending junctures and to said first and secondgenerally arcuate wall portions and being joined to said first andsecond generally arcuate wall portions, wherein said first and secondgenerally arcuate wall portions and said end wall means cooperativelydefine chamber means, wherein said chamber means has an access openingat an end thereof opposite to said end wall means, wherein said accessopening and said chamber means are effective for at least the partialreception therein of an associated electrical device, and wherein saidfirst and second longitudinally extending junctures are spaced from eachother sufficiently to accommodate therebetween said associatedelectrical device.

Method

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for installing anelectrical service box into a wall facing or the like comprises thesteps of forming the electrical service box to have a cross-sectionalconfiguration the outer portion of which at least approaches that of afigure "8" and the inner portion of which defines a chamber for thereception of an associated electrical device, cutting first and secondholes through the wall facing so that said first and second holespartially overlap each other thereby creating an opening through saidwall facing having a peripheral configuration approaching that of afigure "8", and then inserting the electrical service box into saidopening as to have the cross-sectional figure "8" configuration of saidservice box at least in general registry to the figure "8" peripheralconfiguration of said opening.

Various general and specific objects, advantages and aspects of theinvention will become apparent when reference is made to the followingdetailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein for purposes of clarity certain details may beomitted from one or more views:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a generally typical prior artelectrical box;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view taken generally on the plane of line2--2 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a fragmentary portion of a wall intowhich the prior art electrical box of FIG. 1 is intended to be inserted;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a fragmentary portion of a walloperatively carrying an electrical box or housing, employing teachingsof the invention, which, in turn, is shown as operatively carrying anelectrical outlet assembly about which a cover plate is operativelycarried;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on theplane of line 5--5 of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the electrical box or housing ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally on the plane of line 7--7 of FIG. 6 andlooking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a view taken generally on the plane of line 8--8 of FIG. 7 andlooking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line9--9 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary portion of the structure shown inFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a modified embodimentof the structure shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of another modifiedembodiment of the structure shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally on theplane of line 13--13 of FIG. 12 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 and illustrating anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a view taken generally on the plane of line 15--15 of FIG. 14and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of, for example, theelectrical box or housing of FIG. 6 and illustrating furthercontemplated elements thereof;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary elevational view taken generally in thedirection of arrow "A" of FIG. 16 and depicting the electrical box orhousing operatively secured to a wall portion shown in cross-section;

FIG. 18 is a relatively enlarged fragmentary portion of any of theelectrical boxes or housings shown in the preceding Figures andillustrating other contemplated elements thereof;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of a tool employable in the practice ofthe invention;

FIG. 20 is an elevational view taken generally on the plane of line20--20 of FIG. 19 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 21 is a view of a fragmentary portion of a wall and of tool meansemployable in performing a step or steps according to the invention;

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view, similar for example to the view ofFIG. 6, depicting an electrical box or housing for accommodating, forexample, two electrical outlet assemblies or two electrical switchassemblies or an electrical outlet assembly and an electrical switchassembly; and

FIG. 23 is a front elevational view similar to the view of FIG. 22 andillustrating an electrical box or housing for accommodating, forexample, three electrical outlet assemblies or three electrical switchassemblies or combinations thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To better appreciate the invention, a more detailed consideration of theprior art appears to be in order.

Referring in greater detail to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, FIG. 1 illustrates aprior art electrical box or housing 10, which may be formed of metal orsuitable plastic material, comprising spaced opposed side walls 12 and14 each joined to spaced upper and lower walls 16 and 18 with all ofsuch walls 12, 14, 16 and 18, in turn, being joined at their respectiveone ends to a rear wall 20.

It is often accepted practice to provide portions as in the side, rear,upper and lower walls, of the electrical box 10, which are cut-throughor pierced, but not removed, so that such may be selectively removed topermit the passage therethrough of associated electrical wiring orconductor means. More particularly, such portions are illustrated at 22and 24 of rear wall 20 and at 26 and 28 of side wall 14. Each of suchportions (sometimes referred to as "knock-out" or "break-out" portions)as typically illustrated by portion 28 may be comprised of a disk-likebody defined as by a generally circular cut-through periphery 30 which,in turn, terminates as in respective transverse cut-through sections 32and 34 thereby defining a relatively narrow connection 36 whichmaintains the portion 28 generally in the plane of the wall 14.Depending upon the quantity and direction of the electrical wiring to bebrought into the box or housing 10, any or all of such portions, as 22,24, 26 and 28 (as well as others not shown) may be forced inwardly oroutwardly thereby providing an opening in the configuration of 30. Theconnection 36, although not necessarily so, nevertheless is oftensufficiently frangible so that as the portion, as 28, is, for example,forced inwardly, the connection 36 breaks thereby releasing such portion28 from wall 14. Various other forms and types of knock-out or break-outportions are also employed in the prior art.

In the prior art embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, generally L-shapedbrackets 38 and 40 are respectively secured to the upper wall 16, as bya plurality of screws 42, and to the lower wall 18 as by a plurality ofscrews 44 one of which is shown in FIG. 2. The extending legs ofbrackets 38 and 40 are respectively provided with pluralities of holesor openings 46--46 and 48--48 which may be employed for receivingsuitable fasteners which engage the related wall structure, or suitablegenerally horizontal struts as between vertical wall studs, for securingthe box or housing 10 to such wall structure.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first generally medial tab 50 isformed from and bent upwardly of upper wall 16 and a second generallymedial tab 52 is formed from and bent downwardly of lower wall 18. Tabs50 and 52 are, in turn, respectively provided with apertures 54 and 56,which are preferably internally threaded, as to enable the threadablesecuring therto, of associated electrical outlet means or electricalswitch means, as by screw-type fastener means.

Assuming now that, for example, an electrical outlet means were to beadded to an already existing wall structure or wall facing means,fragmentarily illustrated at 58 of FIG. 3, employing the prior artstructure of, for example, FIGS. 1 and 2 and the established prior artmethod, two relatively small holes or passages 60 and 62 (the centers ofwhich may be originally located by standard template means) are firstdrilled through the wall facing 58. As previously indicated, the wallfacing may be comprised of wood paneling, plaster or other material.

A key-hole saw or the like is then employed by inserting the saw bladeinto, for example, hole 60 and then using it to cut through the wallfacing 58 generally along the direction depicted by the horizontal heavydash-line 64. The saw blade is then withdrawn and again inserted into,for example, hole 60 and then used to cut through the wall facing 58generally along the direction depicted by the vertical heavy dash-line66. The saw blade is then withdrawn and inserted into hole 62 and thenused to cut through the wall facing 58, for example, generally along thedirection depicted by the horizontal heavy dash-line 68 until such cutintersects that of the cut along 66. The saw blade is then withdrawn andagain inserted into hole 62 and used to cut through the wall facing 58generally along the direction depicted by the vertical heavy dash-line70 until such cut intersects that of the cut along 64.

When all four side-cuts, along lines 64, 66, 68 and 70 are thuslycompleted, the portion 72, of wall facing 58, becomes detached from thewall facing 58 and upon its removal leaves a generally rectangularopening, defined by the edges of the cuts along 64, 66, 68 and 70, for,in turn, receiving therein the electrical box or housing 10. The openingformed in the manner described with reference to FIG. 3, of course, maybe square or even horizontally rectangular depending upon the size ofthe prior art electrical box or housing to be received.

In any event, the prior art method of forming such an opening, asdescribed with regard to FIG. 3, consumes an excessive amount of timeand such excessive time consumption is at least related to theconfiguration of the prior art electrical boxes or housings.

FIG. 4 illustrates an electrical outlet assembly 74 situated as in awall facing 76 and employing teachings of the invention. In FIG. 4, theoverall assembly 74 is depicted as comprising an electrical box,sometimes referred to as a service box, or housing 78, received as in anopening 80 formed through wall facing 76, which is suitably secured tothe wall facing 76 as by screws 82 and 84 and, in turn, carries a doubleelectrical outlet 86, many of which are known in the art, as by securingscrews 88 and 90. Finally, a cover plate 92 is shown secured, in thisinstance to a portion 94 of the structure of the double electricaloutlet 86, as by securing screw means 96.

Referring in greater detail to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the electrical boxor housing 78, employing teachings of the invention, is illustrated ascomprising a main body 98 which, in turn, comprises two generallycylindrical body portions 100 and 102 having respective axes 104 and106.

The generally axially extending wall 107 of body portion 100 isillustrated as having an outer generally cylindrical surface 108 and aninner generally cylindrical surface 110. Similarly, the generallyaxially extending wall 109 of body portion 102 is illustrated as havingan outer generally cylindrical surface 112 and an inner generallycylindrical surface 114. The axially extending walls 107 and 109, inturn, are joined to a rear or end wall 116 having inner and outer endsurface means 118 and 120.

In the preferred embodiment, the electrical housing means 78 is moldedof suitable plastic material and, therefore, to assist in the removal ofthe housing means 78 from its molded cavity, body 98 is generallytapered as in the manner depicted in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. Moreparticularly, the outer cylindrical surface 108 and the innercylindrical surface 110 become diametrically smaller as they approachend wall means 116; similarly, the outer cylindrical surface 112 and theinner cylindrical surface 114 become diametrically smaller as theyapproach end wall means 116.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the electrical box, servicebox or housing 78 also comprises a flange 122 at the forward or open endof body 98. The flange 122 is generally transverse to the longitudinaldirection of body 98 and to the axes 104 and 106. In the preferredembodiment, the flange 122 is integrally formed with body 98 and has aforwardly disposed surface 124 and a rearwardly disposed surface 126. Asdepicted in FIGS. 6 and 8, the outer periphery or edge of the flange 122is preferably in the configuration of a right rectangle; however, thepractice of the invention is not limited to a flange of suchconfiguration.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the access opening 128 and inner chamber 130 areof a generally "figure-8" configuration. That is, in the preferredembodiment, the respective outer surfaces 108 and 112 of body portions100 and 102, as at an axial location generally next adjacent therearward surface 126 of flange 122, are preferably defined as byrespective, generally equal, radii, R₃, rotated about axes 104 and 106.Similarly, the access opening 128, as at its forward most portion isdefined as by respective, generally equal, radii, R₂, rotated about axes104 and 106; and the theoretical intersection 132 of the respectiveinner surfaces 110 and 114 with the inner end surface 118 is defined asby respective, generally equal, radii, R₁, rotated about axes 104 and106. The differences in dimensional lengths of radii, R₁, R₂ and R₃ willreflect the desired thickness of, generally, walls 107 and 109 as wellas the selected amount of taper of body portions 100 and 102 as tocomform, generally, to good practice in the related molding process.

Still referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that as the first radius R₁ isrotated about axis 104 and as the other radius R₁ is rotated about axis106 the traces or loci thereof intersect as at areas 134 and 136 which,as depicted, may be somewhat arcuately blended. Similarly, as the firstradius R₂ is rotated about axis 104 and as the other radius R₂ isrotated about axis 106 the traces or loci thereof intersect as at areas138 and 140 which, as depicted, may be somewhat arcuately blended.Further, as the first radius R₃ is rotated about axis 104 and the otherradius R₃ is rotated about axis 106 the traces or loci thereof intersectas at areas 142 and 144 which, as depicted, may be somewhat arcuatelyblended. Such intersections in effect create first and secondlongitudinally extending junctures, the first of which may be comprisedof 142, 138 and 134 and the second of which may be comprised of 144, 140and 136.

The axial or longitudinal length of chamber 130 and main body 98 aresuch as to be sufficient to receive therein, as generally practiced inthe prior art, an associated electrical device such as, for example, anelectrical outlet assembly or an electrical switch assembly. Further,the transverse space between the inner wall surfaces 110 and 114 attheir junctures 134 and 138, at the left side of FIG. 6, and theirjunctures 136 and 140, at the right side of FIG. 6, is of a sufficientwidth or distance to accommodate the insertion therebetween of anassociated electrical device such as, for example, an electrical outletassembly or an electrical switch assembly.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, the electrical box orhousing means 78 is preferably provided with integrally formed boss-likeportions 146 and 148 with such, in turn, being provided with passagemeans 150 and 152 which may or may not be internally threaded. In thepreferred embodiment passages 150 and 152 are generally parallel to axes104 and 106 and as to have the respective axes of passages 150 and 152be generally coplanar with axes 104 and 106. With additional referenceto FIG. 4, passages or openings 150 and 152 are effective forrespectively receiving securing screws 88 and 90 for securably attachingthe associated electrical device, depicted as being an electrical outletassembly 86, to the box or housing means 78. Generally, if the passagesor openings 150 and 152 are not internally threaded, the screws 88 and90, as is generally well known in the art, will form an internal threadportion in such passages 150 and 152 sufficient to hold the associatedelectrical device, as 86, assembled to the housing 78. Many prior artelectrical devices, as for example, electrical switch assemblies andelectrical outlet assemblies comprise a mounting structure which, inturn, has apertures formed therethrough which operatively receivemounting screws, as 88 and 90 (FIG. 4). Generally, the industry hasestablished standards and one of such standards is that such apertures(for accepting said mounting screws) be spaced from each other as tohave the centerline-to-centerline distance be in the order of 3.25inches (8.26 cm.). Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment of theinvention the centerline-to-centerline distance of passages or openings150 and 152 would be in the order of 3.25 inches (8.26 cm.).

Further, in the preferred form of the embodiment of FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9,a plurality of clearance apertures 154 and 156 are formed through theflange 122 whereby securing means, such as nails and/or screws (as at 82and 84 of FIG. 4) may be accepted for securing the flange 122 and theentire box or housing 78 to the associated wall facing as at 76 of FIG.14.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the preferred embodiment ofhousing 78 is illustrated as comprising a pair of projections 158 and160 carried as by the rear wall 116 and each projecting rearwardly ofrear wall outer surface 120. Each of the projections 158 and 160, astypically illustrated in enlarged scale in FIG. 10, is preferablycomprised of an outer generally conical surface 162 terminating as in apoint-like or near point-like end 164. Further, the respective axes ofprojections 158 and 160 are in respective general alignment with axes104 and 106 as to thereby place the centers of the projection tips164--164 at a distance generally equal to the distance between axes 104and 106. In the preferred embodiment projections 158 and 160 areintegrally formed with rear end wall 116. However, such projections 158and 160, or their functional equivalents, could be separate memberssuitably secured to and carried by the wall 116 in relative locationsalready described.

FIG. 11 illustrates, in fragmentary cross-sectional view, a modificationof the invention as disclosed in FIGS. 4-10. Only that amount of suchmodification is shown as is necessary to illustrate the differencebetween the modification of FIG. 11 and FIGS. 4-10. In FIG. 11, allelements which are like or similar to those of FIGS. 4-10 are identifiedwith like reference numbers except that for ease of referral themodified embodiment of FIG. 11 is designated 78-2. In FIG. 11, insteadof the relatively short bosses 146 and 148, such are replaced by longfully extending protuberances as typically depicted at 166. The axialend view of such protuberance 166 could be generally as depicted by boss146 as viewed in FIG. 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, a secondprotuberance functionally equivallent to that of 166 would replace theoppositely disposed boss 148 of FIGS. 6, 7 and 9.

FIGS. 12 and 13, each in fragmentary cross-section, illustrate a furthermodification of the invention as disclosed in FIGS. 4-10. Only thatamount of the modification of FIGS. 12 and 13 is shown as is necessaryto illustrate the difference between the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13and the embodiment of FIGS. 4-11. In FIGS. 12 and 13, all elements whichare like or similar to those of any of FIGS. 4-11 are identified withlike reference numbers except that for ease of referral the modifiedembodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 is designated 78-3.

Instead of a full flange 122 extending generally laterally from andabout the entire opening 128 as in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the embodiment ofFIGS. 12 and 13 provides flange portions or tab or ear-like portions,preferably integrally formed, extending generally away from the open endof the main body 98. As typically illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 each ofthe ear or flange portions 168 is comprised of a relatively small bodyportion 170 integrally formed with the main body 98 and having arelatively rearwardly disposed surface 172 and a relatively forwardlydisposed surface 174 which may be coplanar with the forward open end ofthe housing main body 98. Each of the tabs or ears 168 has a hole 176formed therethrough which, respectively, perform the functions of holes154 and 156 of flange 122 of FIGS. 6 and 8. For purposes of generalorientation, the tab or ear 168 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 may beconsidered as being the upper mounting tab or flange portion generallyin alignment with the plane of axes 104 and 106; the other tab or ear(not shown) would then be considered as being the lower mounting tab orflange portion also in general alignment with the plane of axes 104 and106.

The embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrates a further modification.That is, instead of relatively short bosses 146 and 148 formed generallyinwardly of the main body 98 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9, theembodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 may be considered as having relativelyshort bosses formed generally outwardly of the main body 98 with atrough-like indentation, formed in the related body portion andgenerally aligned with the respective boss. Typically, each such boss178 is relatively axially short, as viewed in FIG. 12, and resembles,for example, boss 146 of FIGS. 6, 7 and 9. When axially viewed from apoint forwardly of the boss 178, it would have a configuration asdepicted by boss 146 of FIG. 6. The wall 107, of body portion 100, iscurled generally inwardly and then outwardly to form, as incross-section, a trough like portion 180 in which the rearward face 182of boss 178 can be seen. A boss and a trough, the mirror images of boss178 and trough 180 would be formed at the bottom (not shown) of the mainbody 98 of box or housing means 78-3.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate still another embodiment of the invention. InFIGS. 14 and 15, all elements which are like or similar to those of anyof FIGS. 4-13 are identified with like reference numbers except that forease of referral the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15 is designated 78-4.

In comparing the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15 with that of, forexample, FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, it can be seen that, in the main, thedifference therebetween resides in the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15 nothaving flange means fully surrounding the opening 128 as does theembodiment of FIG. 6. In the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15 only partialflange means 168--168 are provided and such, as previously discussedwith regard to FIGS. 12 and 13, are preferably integrally formed withmain body 98.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a further modification of the invention. Inorder to illustrate the modification only a portion of the electricalbox or housing of FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 is shown in that such issufficient to disclose the modification. In FIGS. 16 and 17 all elementswhich are like or similar to those of FIGS. 4-9 are identified with likereference numbers except that for ease of referral, the modifiedembodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17 is designated 78-5.

Referring in greater detail to FIGS. 16 and 17, one of a plurality ofdeflectable arm or abutment means is shown at 190 being carried as bythe main body 98 of the housing 78-5. Such abutment member 190 has itsgenerally rearward end or portion 192 operatively secured to housingportion 100 while the opposite end 194 is normally spaced or swung awayfrom the outer surface 108 of body portion 100. As the electricalservice box 78-5 is inserted into a cooperating opening 196, as within awall facing 76, the abutment member or arm 190 first deflects toward thehousing portion 100 until it passes through the opening 196 whereuponthe end 194 of abutment arm again swings out to engage the rear or innersurface means of the wall panel 76. This can then, in cooperation aswith flange means 122, hold the electrical service housing or box 78-5in assembled condition to the wall panel 76. It is to be noted that eventhough only one such abutment means or arm 190 is shown, in thepreferred arrangement, a plurality of abutment arms, functionally equalto 190, would be provided. That is, a first abutment member 190 could belocated on body portion 100 as depicted, a second abutment member couldbe located on body portion 100 as at the diametrically opposite sidethereof, and third and fourth abutment members could be similarlylocated on the cooperating body portion 102. As should now be evident,it is not necessary to employ a fully circumscribing flange means as 122in combination with such abutment means; partial or tab-like flangemeans, as for example, 168--168 would be adequate.

The abutment member or means 190 (as well as others used in combinationtherewith) may be formed: (a) as a generally cut-out portion from theadjacent body portion as 100; (b) as a separate member mechanicallysecured at one end to the body portion as 100; or (c) as a separatemember secured at one end to the body portion, as 100, as by a suitableadhesive, chemical fusion and/or sonic welding.

FIG. 18 may be considered as an enlarged fragmentary portion of the bodyportions of any of the embodiments of FIGS. 4-17. In FIG. 18 allelements which are like or similar to any of FIGS. 4-17 are identifiedwith like reference numbers except that for ease of referral themodified embodiment of FIG. 18 is designated 78-6. Only that much of themodified embodiment, of FIG. 18, is shown as is necessary to describethe modification contemplated.

Referring in greater detail, FIG. 18 depicts a plurality of knock-out orbreak-out windows or portions. More particularly, body portion 100 isshown with a break-out portion or window arrangement 200 comprising agenerally circular or disk-like body 202 generally defined as by aplurality of arcuate segments 204, 206, 208 and 210. The arcuatesegments 204, 206, 208 and 210 may be very narrow slots formed throughthe wall 107 or may be grooves formed in the wall 107 to a depth whereinonly a comparatively thin cross-section of wall 107 material remainsthereby making such thin cross-sectional material relatively frangible.Also, generally circularly interspersed with the segments 204, 206, 208and 210 are connecting portions 212, 214, 216 and 218, which may have across-sectional thickness that of the wall 107, which operativelyinterconnect the wall 107 to the body member 202 thereby effectivelyassuring that the member 202 remains in its depicted position until andif the member 202 is intentionally forcibly broken-out. If the member202 is intentionally broken-out, a clearance opening or window isthereby provided through which electrical wires and/or cables may bepassed as for connection to the electrical device operatively carried bythe housing or service box 78-6. The segments 204, 206, 208 and 210 maybe formed as during the molding of the housing 78-6 or may besubsequently formed as by, for example, a suitable cutting tool.

FIG. 18 also depicts a second break-out portion or window arrangement220 comprising elements as those previously discussed as comprising thearrangement 200. All elements of the window arrangement 220 which arelike or similar to those of 200 are identified with like referencenumbers. Only two of such break-out window arrangements are shown;however, it is contemplated that additional functionally equivalentbreak-out window arrangements may be provided as on the same sides ofbody portions 100 and 102, and/or the diametrically opposite sides ofbody portions 100 and 102, and/or the rear wall 116. Further, it shouldbe made clear that if in the practice of the invention a break-outwindow arrangement is employed, such need not be of the configurationdepicted at 200 and 220 of FIG. 18. Other arrangements are alsoemployable and United States of America U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,732, forexample, illustrates one of such other arrangements.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate one form of tool means employable in thepractice of the invention. Referring in greater detail to FIGS. 19 and20, the tool means 222, preferably formed of metal such as steel, isdepicted as comprising a body-like portion 224 with a handle portion 226extending therefrom. The body portion 224 carries two projections 158-2and 160-2 which may be formed directly from body 224 and which, havingtheir center distance generally equal to the center distance ofprojections 158 and 160, are respectively functionally equivalent toprojections 158 and 160. Projections 158-2 and 160-2, also, may be of aconical configuration having respective tips 164-2.

As already indicated, none of the service boxes or housings 78, 78-2,78-3, 78-4, 78-5, 78-6, 78-7 or 78-8 of the invention need to includeprojections 158 and 160; however, the inclusion of projection means 158and 160 is preferred.

In practicing the method of the invention, let it be assumed that theinventive service box 78, having projections 158 and 160, is to beinstalled in a wall panel. In such a situation, the projections 158 and160 of the service box or housing 78 may be employed as locators ormarkers. That is, since projections 158 and 160 are respectivelygenerally aligned with axes 104 and 106, with such axes also serving asthe centers for the arcuate outer surfaces of body portions 100 and 102,such projections 158 and 160 may then be employed for creating locatingpoints or marks on the wall panel into which the housing 78 is to beplaced. This can be done by placing the housing 78 against the wallpanel, as for example fragmentarily depicted at 228 of FIG. 21, as tohave the points or tips 164--164 of projections 158 and 160 against theouter surface 230 of wall panel 228. The points or tips 164--164 may beprovided with a colored transfer medium so that the mere act of touchingthe tips 164--164 against the outer surface 230 of wall panel 228 willresult in corresponding colored marks or locators being applied to theouter surface 230, or, the forward end of the housing 78 may berelatively lightly struck so as to thereby cause the projections 158 and160, and their respective tips 164--164, to create correspondinglylocated marks or indentations, employable as locators, in the outersurface 230 of wall panel 228.

Let it now be assumed that the housing 78 has been thusly applied to andagainst outer surface 230 and that as a consequence thereof locatingmarks 232 and 234 have been formed on or into surface 230 by theprojections 158 and 160.

Following that, a suitable appliance as, for example, an electricallydriven drill unit 236, provided with a cup-like hole cutter 238,preferably with a cooperating central lead member or portion 240,employs such locating marks 232 and 234 for cutting a pair of holesthrough the wall panel 230. More particularly, mark 232 may be firstemployed as the center or axis of a first hole to be cut. That is, theappliance 236, hole cutter 238 and lead portion 240 are brought againstthe outer surface 230 of wall panel 228, generally along depicted axis242, causing the tip of the lead portion 240 to engage mark or locator232 and there start its progress through the wall panel 228. Shortlyafter the lead portion thusly engages mark 232, the hole cutter 238engages the outer surface 230 and starts to cut a first hole, depictedin phantom line at 244, with such cutting continuing until the hole 244is formed through the wall panel 228.

The hole cutter 238 is then withdrawn from the then formed hole 244 andthe process repeated with respect to mark or locator 234. It should benoted that, as generally illustrated in FIG. 21, when the second hole,depicted in phantom line at 246, is being formed by the hole cutter 238,portions of the patterns of holes 244 and 246 overlap as at and betweenpoints 248 and 250. Consequently, when the cutting of the second hole iscompleted (whether it be 244 or 246) the result is that instead of twodistinct, separate and spaced holes, only one passage exists through thewall panel 228 and that such one passage has an outer periphery definedas by a path starting from point 248 and progressing generally upwardlyand then downwardly along phantom line 244 to point 250, and, from therecontinuing downwardly and then upwardly along phantom line 246 untilreturning to point 248. Such single passage, as it should now beapparent, when viewed in general alignment therewith, has the appearanceof a figure "8" and is capable of receiving therein the main body 98 andbody portions 100 and 102 of housing 78 for mounting in wall panel 228with, for example, body portion 100 being primarily peripherallycontained by what was the upper hole 244 and body portion 102 beingprimarily peripherally contained by what was the lower hole 246 whilejunctures 142 and 144 would be respectively juxtaposed to the holeintersections containing points 248 and 250. Such single passage asdescribed with reference to FIG. 21 is generally depicted in andidentified at 80 of FIG. 4.

It should now be apparent that the invention provides both apparatus andmethod which enables the comparatively rapid installation of anelectrical service box or housing, as into an existing wall panel andthe like, as compared to the prior art. By employing teachings of theinvention, there is no need for first locating and drilling a pair ofpilot-like holes, as illustrated in and described with reference to FIG.3, nor is there a need to then use a saw, first inserted into thepilot-like holes and cut in two directions from each of the pair ofpilot-like holes, as also described with reference to FIG. 3, in orderto form a service box receiving hole (whether square or rectangular) inthe existing wall panel.

The tool means 222 of FIGS. 19 and 20 may be employed for creating themarks or locators, as 232 and 234, even in those situations wherein theelectrical box or housing of the invention, to be placed in the wallpanel, is of the type not including projections 158 and 160. In usingthe tool means 222 the projections 158-2 and 160-2 may be held, as byhandle portion 226, against the surface 230, of a wall panel 228 andthen striking the body portion 224 in the direction of the wall panel.

It should be understood that many of the modifications and/orembodiments disclosed by FIGS. 4-18 may be employed in varyingcombinations. For example, the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 may be modified:(a) in accordance with any of the modifications of FIGS. 12 and 13; (b)in accordance with the modification of FIG. 11; (c) in accordance withthe modification of FIGS. 16 and 17; or (d) in accordance with themodification of FIG. 18; and, in view of the teachings herein,appropriate combinations thereof. The possibility of employing variousones or combinations of such modifications in the embodiment of FIGS. 14and 15 similarly exists.

Further, additional modifications are also contemplated. For example, itis contemplated that flanges as 122 and 168 may actually be of metal andeither mechanically secured to the body 98 or having such flanges asinserts during the process of molding the body 98.

The various embodiments and modifications of the invention disclosed asin FIGS. 4-18 are directed to an electrical box or housing intended toreceive what may be considered a single electrical device as, forexample, the electrical outlet assembly 86 (even though it, as anassembly, provides dual outlets) of FIG. 4 or a single electrical switchassembly. However, the teachings already presented apply equally well towhat may be called gang-type electrical boxes or electrical housingswherein a single electrical box or housing serves to contain a pluralityof electrical devices which may comprise, for example, a plurality ofelectrical outlet assemblies or a plurality of electrical switchassemblies or combinations thereof. FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate but twoof such gang electrical boxes or housings, employing teachings of theinvention, wherein the embodiment of FIG. 22 is intended to house twoelectrical devices while the embodiment of FIG. 23 is intended to housethree electrical devices.

All elements in FIGS. 22 and 23 which are like or similar to theelements of the embodiments of FIGS. 4-18 will be identified by the samereference numeral provided with a suffix "a". If in FIG. 22 or FIG. 23there are more than one element which is like or similar to the elementsof FIGS. 4-18, then such additional like or similar elements areidentified by the same reference numeral but provided with a differingletter suffix such as, for example, "b" or "c". Further, for ease ofreferral, the embodiments of FIGS. 22 and 23 are respectively designated78-7 and 78-8.

In comparing, for example, the embodiments of FIGS. 6-10 to that of FIG.22, it can be seen that if one were to take the right half of the viewof FIG. 22 and, in effect, overlay it onto the left half of the view ofFIG. 22 so that holes or passages 150a and 150b were axially alignedwith each other and so that holes or passages 152a and 152b were axiallyaligned with each other, the resulting composite view would look likethat of FIG. 6.

For purposes of description, it may be assumed that in and among all ofthe embodiments of the invention all: (a) radii R₁ are equal to eachother; (b) radii R₂ are equal to each other and (c) radii R₃ are equalto each other.

Still referring to FIG. 22, it can be seen that a longitudinallyextending juncture, comprised of 142a, 138a and 134a, exists and thatsuch generally corresponds to the longitudinally extending juncture ofFIG. 6 comprised of 142, 138 and 134. Also, a second longitudinallyextending juncture, comprised of 144a, 140a and 136a, exists and thatsuch generally corresponds to the longitudinally extending juncture ofFIG. 6 comprised of 144, 140 and 136.

The embodiment of FIG. 22 has additional junctures. That is, as radiusR₁ is rotated about axis 104a and as the other radius R₁ is rotatedabout axis 104b the traces or loci thereof intersect as at an area 260which, as depicted, may be somewhat arcuately blended. As radius R₂ isrotated about axis 104a and as the other radius R₂ is rotated about axis104b the traces or loci thereof intersect as at an area 262 which, asdepicted, may be arcuately blended. As radius R₃ is rotated about axis104a and as the other radius R₃ is rotated about axis 104b the traces orloci thereof intersect as at an area 264 which, as depicted, may bearcuately blended.

Considering the lower portion of the embodiment 78-7, as viewed in FIG.22, as radius R₁ is rotated about axis 106a and as the other radius R₁is rotated about axis 106b the traces or loci thereof intersect as at anarea 266 which, as depicted, may be somewhat arcuately blended. Asradius R₂ is rotated about axis 106a and as the other radius R₂ isrotated about axis 106b the traces or loci thereof intersect as at anarea 268 which, as depicted, may be somewhat arcuately blended. Asradius R₃ is rotated about axis 106a and as the other radius R₃ isrotated about axis 106b the traces or loci thereof intersect as at anarea 270 which, as depicted, may be somewhat arcuately blended.

When viewed in side elevational view, as in the direction of arrow B,the embodiment 78-7 would have an appearance like that of the embodiment78 in FIG. 7. As should now be apparent, the longitudinally extendingbody 98 of FIGS. 6 and 7 comprises upper and lower body portions 100 and102 and, similarly, the longitudinally extending body 98a of FIG. 22comprises upper and lower body portions 100a and 102a. However, in theembodiment of FIG. 22, upper body portion 100a, is comprised of twoarcuate or generally cylindrical wall portions 107a and 107b which, inturn, preferably have longitudinally extending outer cylindricalsurfaces 108a and 108b, respectively. Somewhat similarly, the lower bodyportion 102a of FIG. 22 is comprised of two arcuate or generallycylindrical wall portions 109a and 109b which, in turn, preferably havelongitudinally extending outer cylindrical surfaces 112a and 112b,respectively.

The electrical box or housing 78-7 of FIG. 22 enables a plurality ofelectrical devices to be operatively carried thereby. For example, firstand second electrical outlet assemblies, as generally depicted at 86 inFIG. 4, may be operatively secured to the housing 78-7 as by having afirst of such outlet assemblies 86 received by the left side(as viewedin FIG. 22) of housing 78-7 and secured thereto as by screw 88 passinginto and engaging hole 150a and a screw 90 passing into and engaginghole 152a. A second of such outlet assemblies 86 would be received bythe right side (as viewed in FIG. 22) of housing 78-7 and securedthereto as by another screw 88 passing into and engaging hole 150b withanother screw 90 passing into and engaging hole 152b. A cover plate,functionally equivalent to cover plate 92, would then be placed oversuch two electrical outlet assemblies (in the manner depicted in FIG. 4)and secured to the respective outlet assemblies as by respective screws96 as depicted in FIG. 4.

In the preferred form of the embodiment of FIG. 22, a plurality ofprojections 158a, 160a, 158b and 160b are carried by the rear or endwall 116a as to be projecting rearwardly thereof in the manner alreadydescribed with regard to the herein previously disclosed embodiments ofthe invention.

Housing 78-7 may be employed, in the manner previously discussed withreference to FIGS. 6 and 21, for locating, as onto walls and the like,marks to be employed as centers for in turn cutting appropriate holesthrough the wall facing. For example, referring to both FIGS. 21 and 22,if the housing 78-7 were to be installed into the wall means 228 or wallfacing 230, the housing 78-7 could be struck against wall surface 230thereby causing projection 158a to create the locating mark 232 andcausing projection 160a to create the locating mark 234. However,additionally, projection 158b and projection 160b also make a second setof respective locating marks generally laterally spaced from marks 232and 234, respectively. In cutting the hole through the wall means 228,for the housing 78-7, the process could be as that hereinbeforedescribed with reference to FIG. 21 wherein the cutting of holes 244 and246 was described. However, in forming the hole for receiving thehousing 78-7, the hole locating and cutting process would be repeatedemploying the said second set of locating marks thereby cutting a secondpair of holes partially depicted in dash-lines at 272 and 274. In thuslyforming the additional holes 272 and 274, it should be noted that holes272 and 274 partially overlap each other as do holes 244 and 246 andfurther, that hole 272 partially overlaps hole 244 while hole 274partially overlaps hole 246 thereby resulting in a housing 78-7receiving hole (in wall means 228) the configuration of which would bedefined, collectively, by the remaining circular portions of the holes244, 246, 272 and 274.

In the further embodiment 78-8 of FIG. 23, except as otherwise noted,all elements which are like or similar to those of FIG. 22 areidentified with like reference numbers. As with the embodiment of FIG.22, the embodiment 78-8 of FIG. 23, when viewed as in the direction ofarrow C, would have the appearance of housing 78 in FIG. 7. Further, itcan be seen that the left third (as viewed in FIG. 23) of housing 78-8generally corresponds to the left half (as viewed in FIG. 22) of housing78-7. The right third (as viewed in FIG. 23) of housing 78-8 generallycorresponds to the right half (as viewed in FIG. 22) of housing 78-7.What, in the main is different between the embodiments of FIGS. 22 and23 is that in the embodiment 78-8 an additional generally medial portionis provided whereby the housing 78-8 is able to operatively receive andcarry three electrical devices. Since it has already been described inFIG. 22 how the respective longitudinally extending junctures, onecomprised of 260, 262 and 264 and the other comprised of 266, 268 and270, are formed, it should now be apparent as to how functionallysimilar junctures are formed in housing 78-8. Accordingly, in FIG. 23the respective longitudinally extending junctures comprised as of 260c,262c and 264c and comprised as of 260d, 262d and 264d may each beconsidered similar and/or functionally equivalent to the longitudinallyextending juncture, comprised of 260, 262 and 264 of FIG. 22. Likewise,in FIG. 23 the respective longitudinally extending junctures comprisedas of 266c, 268c and 270c and comprised as of 266d, 268d and 270d mayeach be considered similar and/or functionally equivalent to thelongitudinally extending juncture, comprised of 266, 268 and 270 of FIG.22.

Further, as should now be apparent, the longitudinally extending body 98of FIGS. 6 and 7 comprises upper and lower body portions 100 and 102and, similarly, the longitudinally extending body 98a of FIG. 23comprises upper and lower body portions 100a and 102a. However, in theembodiment of FIG. 23, upper body portion 100a is comprised of threearcuate or generally cylindrical wall portions 107a, 107c and 107bwhich, in turn, preferably have longitudinally extending outercylindrical surfaces 108a, 108c and 108b, respectively. Somewhatsimilarly, the lower body portion 102a of FIG. 23 is comprised of threearcuate or generally cylindrical wall portions 109a, 109c and 109bwhich, in turn, preferably have longitudinally extending outercylindrical surfaces 112a, 112c and 112b, respectively.

The electrical box or housing 78-8 of FIG. 23 also enables a pluralityof electrical devices to be operatively carried thereby. For example,first, second and third electrical outlet assemblies, as generallydepicted at 86 of FIG. 4, may be operatively secured to the housing 78-8as by having a first of such outlet assemblies 86 received by the leftside (as viewed in FIG. 23) of housing 78-8 and secured thereto as by ascrew such as 88 passing into and engaging hole 150a and a screw such as90 passing into and engaging hole 152a. A second of such outletassemblies 86 would be received by the medial portion (as viewed in FIG.23) of housing 78-8 and secured thereto by another screw as 88 passinginto and engaging hole 150c with another screw as 90 passing into andengaging hole 152c. The third of such outlet assemblies 86 would bereceived by the right side portion (as viewed in FIG. 23) of housing78-8 and secured thereto by another screw as 88 extending into andengaging hole 150b with another screw as 90 extending into and engaginghole 152b. A cover plate, functionally equivalent to cover plate 92,would then be placed over such three (ganged) electrical outletassemblies and secured to the respective outlet assemblies as byrespective screws 96 as depicted in FIG. 4.

In the preferred form of the embodiment of FIG. 23, a plurality ofprojections 158a, 160a, 158c, 160c, 158b and 160b are carried by therear or end wall 116a as to be projecting rearwardly thereof in themanner already described with regard to the herein previously disclosedembodiments of the invention.

Housing 78-8 may be employed, in the manner previously discussed withreference to FIGS. 6 and 21, and particularly with reference to theembodiment 78-7 of FIG. 22 along with FIG. 21, for locating as ontowalls and the like, marks to be employed as centers for in turn cuttingappropriate holes through the wall facing. For example, referring toboth FIGS. 21 and 23, if the housing 78-8 were to be installed into thewall means or wall facing 228, the procedure would be as that describedwith regard to the installation of housing 78-7. That is, housing 78-8could be struck against wall surface 230 thereby causing projections158a, 160a, 158c, 160c, 158b and 160b to create six locating marks (twoof which may be as at 232 and 234 of FIG. 21) instead of the fourlocating marks made with housing 78-7. The third set of respectivelocating marks, which would be made by projections 158b and 160b, wouldbe generally laterally spaced of the marks (not shown) which would havebeen used as centers for holes 272 and 274 (FIG. 21) as when installingthe housing 78-7. In cutting the hole through the wall means 228, forthe housing 78-8, the process could be as that hereinbefore describedwith reference to FIGS. 22 and 21. However, in forming the hole forreceiving the housing 78-8, the hole locating and cutting process wouldbe repeated employing the said third set of locating marks therebycutting a third pair of holes partially depicted in dash-lines at 276and 278. In thusly forming the additional holes 276 and 278, it shouldbe noted that holes 276 and 278 partially overlap each other as do holes272 and 274 and as do holes 244 and 246. Further, it should be notedthat: (a) hole 272 partially overlaps hole 244; (b) hole 274 partiallyoverlaps hole 246; (c) hole 276 partially overlaps hole 272 and (d) hole278 partially overlaps hole 274 thereby resulting in a receiving hole(in wall means 228) for housing 78-8 the configuration of which would bedefined, collectively, by the remaining circular portions of the holes244, 246, 272, 274, 276 and 278.

The housing 78-7 of FIG. 22 and the housing 78-8 of FIG. 23 need not belimited to the exact embodiments thereof as respectively depicted inFIGS. 22 and 23. That is, each of housings 78-7 and 78-8 may be furthermodified, as, for example, disclosed by any of FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17 and 18 and as described with reference thereto.

It is further contemplated that whether housings 78-7 and 78-8 employflanges as 122a or as 168 (FIGS. 14 and 15) that such flanges mayactually be of metal and either mechanically secured to the body 98a ofhousing 78-7 or body 98a of housing 78-8, or, having such flanges asinserts during the process of molding the bodies 98a.

In reviewing the various embodiments and modifications of the invention,it should be apparent that the structures comprising the embodiments andmodifications may be described in varying ways. For example, looking atthe views of FIGS. 4, 6, 8 or 14, it is believed clear that the body 98,of such housings, conveys the impression of a FIG. "8". Further, theviews as presented in FIGS. 6 and 14 also clearly convey the impressionthat the body 98 is comprised of two body portions, 100 and 102, each ofwhich has the appearance, in axial end view and in transversecross-section (transverse to axes 104, 106) of the letter "C". That is,body portion 100 may be considered as a first "C" positioned as to haveits opening lowermost (as viewed in either FIG. 6 or 14) while bodyportion 102 may be considered as a second "C" positioned as to have itsopening uppermost with such openings, in effect, coinciding with eachother resulting in the ends of such first and second "C"-likeconfigurations forming the juncture 134, 138 and 142 and juncture 136,140 and 144.

Although only a preferred embodiment and a select number ofmodifications of the invention have been disclosed and described, it isapparent that other embodiments and modifications of the invention arepossible within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical service housing mountable in wallsand cielings, comprising a unitary integrally formed main body, saidmain body comprising at least first and second longitudinally extendingbody portions in fixed relationship to each other, said first bodyportion comprising first outer surface means, wherein said first outersurface means comprises a first arcuate outer surface portion, saidsecond body portion comprising second outer surface means, wherein saidsecond outer surface means comprises a second arcuate outer surfaceportion, wherein said first and second body portions meet each other asto form at least first and second longitudinally extending juncturesfixedly spaced from each other, end wall means of fixed configurationintegrally formed with both said first and second longitudinallyextending body portions and formed generally transverse to said firstand second longitudinally extending body portions and to said at leastfirst and second longitudinally extending junctures, said end wall meansbeing joined to said first and second longitudinally extending bodyportions and to said at least first and second longitudinally extendingjunctures as to be situated generally at a first relatively rearward endof said first and second longitudinally extending body portions, whereinsaid first and second longitudinally extending body portions and saidend wall means collectively at least in part define a chamber whichextends from the interior of said first longitudinally extending bodyportion between said first and second longitudinally extending juncturesand into the interior of said second longitudinally extending bodyportion, wherein said chamber has an access opening at an end thereofwhich is relatively forward and oppositely disposed to said firstrelatively rearward end and said end wall means, wherein said accessopening and said chamber are effective for at least the partialreception therein of at least one associated electrical device, whereinsaid at least first and second longitudinally extending juncturessomewhat project inwardly into said chamber, and wherein the distance bywhich said longitudinally extending junctures project inwardly into saidchamber is such as to permit the passage everywhere therebetween of saidat least one associated electrical device.
 2. An electrical servicehousing mountable in walls and cielings, comprising a main body, saidmain body comprising at least first and second longitudinally extendingbody portions, said first body portion comprising first outer surfacemeans, wherein said first outer surface means comprises a first arcuateouter surface portion, said second body portion comprising second outersurface means, wherein said second outer surface means comprises asecond arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said first second bodyportions meet each other as to form at least one longitudinallyextending juncture, end wall means formed generally transverse to saidfirst and second longitudinally extending body portions and to said atleast one longitudinally extending juncture, said end wall means beingjoined to said first and second longitudinally extending body portionsand to said at least one longitudinally extending juncture as to besituated generally at a first relatively rearward end of said first andsecond longitudinally extending body portions, wherein said first andsecond longitudinally extending body portions and said end wall meanscollectively at least in part define chamber means, wherein said chambermeans has an access opening at an end thereof which is relativelyforward and oppositely disposed to said first relatively rearward endand said end wall means, wherein said access opening and said chambermeans are effective for at least the partial reception therein of atleast one associated electrical device, wherein said at least onelongitudinally extending juncture somewhat projects inwardly of saidchamber means, wherein the distance by which said longitudinallyextending juncture projects inwardly of said chamber means is such asnot to cause physical interference with said at least one associatedelectrical device, wherein said first and second body portions meet eachother as to form a second longitudinally extending juncture, whereinsaid end wall means is also generally transverse to said secondlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said end wall means is alsojoined to said second longitudinally extending juncture, wherein saidsecond longitudinally extending juncture somewhat projects inwardly ofsaid chamber means, wherein the distance between said at least one andsaid second longitudinally extending junctures permits the acceptancetherebetween of at least one associated electrical device, and furthercomprising at least first and second projections carried by said endwall means and extending relatively rearwardly thereof, at least a firstaxis defining the center of curvature of said first arcuate surfaceportion, at least a second axis defining the center of curvature of saidsecond arcuate outer surface, wherein said first and second axes arespaced from and generally parallel to each other, wherein said firstprojection extends relatively rearwardly generally along said firstaxis, and wherein said second projection extends relatively rearwardlygenerally along said second axis, said first and second projections whenurged against a related structure being effective to create locatingmarks representative of said first and second axes on said relatedstructure.
 3. An electrical service housing according to claim 1 whereinsaid first arcuate outer surface portion comprises a first cylindricalouter surface portion, and wherein said second arcuate outer surfaceportion comprises a second cylindrical outer surface portion.
 4. Anelectrical service housing according to claim 3 wherein the radius ofcurvature of said first cylindrical outer surface portion and the radiusof curvature of said second cylindrical outer surface portion aregenerally equal to each other.
 5. An electrical service housingmountable in walls and cielings, comprising a main body, said bodycomprising at least first and second longitudinally extending bodyportions, said first body portion comprising first outer surface means,wherein said first outer surface means comprises a first arcuate outersurface portion, said second body portion comprising second outersurface means, wherein said second outer surface means comprises asecond arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said first and second bodyportions meet each other as to form at least one longitudinallyextending juncture, end wall means formed generally transverse to saidfirst and second longitudinally extending body portions and to said atleast one longitudinally extending juncture, said end wall means beingjoined to said first and second longitudinally extending body portionsand to said at least one longitudinally extending juncture as to besituated generally at a first relatively rearward end of said first andsecond longitudinally extending body portions, wherein said first andsecond longitudinally extending body portions and said end wall meanscollectively at least in part define chamber means, wherein said chambermeans has an access opening at an end thereof which is relativelyforward and oppositely disposed to said first relatively rearward endand said end wall means, wherein said access opening and said chambermeans are effective for at least the partial reception therein of atleast one associated electrical device, wherein said at least onelongitudinally extending juncture somewhat projects inwardly of saidchamber means, wherein the distance by which said longitudinallyextending juncture projects inwardly of said chamber means is such asnot to cause physical interference with said at least one associatedelectrical device, wherein said first arcuate outer surface portioncomprises a first cylindrical outer surface portion, wherein said secondarcuate outer surface portion comprises a second cylindrical outersurface portion, and further comprising at least first and secondprojections carried by said end wall means and extending relativelyrearwardly thereof, at least a first axis defining the center ofcurvature of said first cylindrical outer surface portion, at least asecond axis defining the center of curvature of said second cylindricalouter surface portion, wherein said first and second axes are spacedfrom and generally parallel to each other, wherein said first projectionextends relatively rearwardly generally along said first axis, andwherein said second projection extends relatively rearwardly generallyalong said second axis, said first and second projections when urgedagainst a related structure being effective to create respectivelocating marks representative of said first and second axes on saidrelated structure.
 6. An electrical service housing according to claim 5wherein said first and second projections are integrally formed withsaid end wall means.
 7. An electrical service housing according to claim1 wherein said first longitudinally extending body portion comprisesfirst and second longitudinally extending body sections joined to eachother, wherein said first longitudinally extending body section carriessaid first arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said secondlongitudinally extending body section comprises third outer surfacemeans, wherein said third outer surface means comprises a third arcuateouter surface portion, wherein said second longitudinally extending bodysection carries said third arcuate outer surface portion, wherein saidsecond longitudinally extending body portion comprises third and fourthlongitudinally extending body section joined to each other, wherein saidthird longitudinally extending body section carries said second arcuateouter surface portion, wherein said fourth longitudinally extending bodysection comprises fourth outer surface means, wherein said fourth outersurface means comprises a fourth arcuate outer surface portion, whereinsaid second body section and said fourth body section meet each other asto form said second longitudinally extending junction spaced from andgenerally opposite to said first longitudinally extending juncture whichis formed by said first body section and said third body section meetingeach other, wherein said first body section and said second body sectionmeet each other as to form a third longitudinally extending junction,wherein said third body section and said fourth body section meet eachother as to form a fourth longitudinally extending juncture, whereinsaid fourth longitudinally extending juncture is spaced from andgenerally opposite to said third longitudinally extending juncture, andwherein said chamber is at least in part collectively defined by all ofsaid body sections and extends between said first and secondlongitudinally extending junctures and extends between said third andfourth longitudinally extending junctures.
 8. An electrical servicehousing mountable in walls and cielings, comprising a main body, saidmain body comprising at least first and second longitudinally extendingbody portions, said first body portion comprising first outer surfacemeans, wherein said first outer surface means comprises a first arcuateouter surface portion, said second body portion comprising second outersurface means, wherein said second outer surface means comprises asecond arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said first and second bodyportions meet each other as to form at least one longitudinallyextending juncture, end wall means formed generally transverse to saidfirst and second longitudinally extending body portions and to said atleast one longitudinally extending juncture, said end wall means beingjoined to said first and second longitudinally extending body portionsand to said at least one longitudinally extending juncture as to besituated generally at a first relatively rearward end of said first andsecond longitudinally extending body portions, wherein said first andsecond longitudinally extending body portions and said end wall meanscollectively at least in part define chamber means, wherein said chambermeans has an access opening at an end thereof which is relativelyforward and oppositely disposed to said first relatively rearward endand said wall means, wherein said access opening and said chamber meansare effective for at least the partial reception therein of at least oneassociated electrical device, wherein said at least one longitudinallyextending juncture somewhat projects inwardly of said chamber means,wherein the distance by which said longitudinally extending junctureprojects inwardly of said chamber means is such as not cause physicalinterference with said at least one associated electrical device,wherein said first longitudinally extending body portion comprises firstand second longitudinally extending body sections joined to each other,wherein said first longitudinally extending body section carries saidfirst arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said second longitudinallyextending body section comprises third outer surface means, wherein saidthird outer surface means comprises a third arcuate outer surfaceportion, wherein said second longitudinally extending body sectioncarries said third arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said secondlongitudinally extending body portion comprises third and fourthlongitudinally extending body sections joined to each other, whereinsaid third longitudinally extending body section carries said secondarcuate outer surface portion, wherein said fourth longitudinallyextending section comprises fourth outer surface means, wherein saidfourth outer surface means comprises a fourth outer surface portion,wherein said second body section and said fourth body section meet eachother as to form a second longitudinally extending juncture spaced fromand generally opposite to said at least one longitudinally extendingjuncture, wherein said first body section and said body section meeteach other as to form a third longitudinally extending juncture, whereinsaid third body section and said fourth body section meet each other asto form a fourth longitudinally extending juncture, wherein said fourthlongitudinally extendung juncture is spaced from and generally oppositeto said third longitudinally extending juncture, and further comprisingat least first second third and fourth projections carried by said endwall means and extending relatively rearwardly thereof, at least a firstaxis defining the center of curvature of said first arcuate outersurface portion, at least a second axis defining the center or curvatureof said second arcuate outer surface portion, at least a third axisdefining the center of curvature of said third arcuate outer surfaceportion, at least a fourth axis defining the center of curvature of saidfourth arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said first second thirdand fourth axes are spaced from generally parallel to each other,wherein said first projection extends relatively rearwardly generallyalong said first axis, wherein said second projection extends relativelyrearwardly generally along said second axis, wherein said thirdprojection extends relatively rearwardly generally along said thirdaxis, and wherein said fourth projection extends relatively rearwardlyalong said fourth axis, said first second third and fourth projectionswhen urged against a related structure being effective to createrepective locating marks representative of said first second third andfourth axes on said related structure.
 9. An electrical service housingaccording to claim 1 wherein said first longitudinally extending bodyportion comprises first second and third longitudinally extending bodysections joined together, wherein said first longitudinally extendingbody section carries said first arcuate outer surface portion, whereinsaid second longitudinally extending body section comprises third outersurface means, wherein said third outer surface means comprises a thirdarcuate outer surface portion, wherein said second longitudinallyextending body section carries said third arcuate outer surface portion,wherein said third longitudinally extending body section comprisesfourth outer surface means, wherein said fourth outer surface meanscomprises a fourth arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said thirdlongitudinally extending body section carries said fourth arcuate outerportion, wherein said second body portion comprises fourth fifth andsixth longitudinally extending body sections joined together, whereinsaid fourth longitudinally extending body section carries said secondarcuate outer surface portion, wherein said fifth longitudinallyextending body section comprises fifth outer surface means, wherein saidfifth outer surface means comprises a fifth arcuate outer surfaceportion, wherein said fifth longitudinally extending body sectioncarries said fifth arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said sixthlongitudinally extending body section comprises sixth outer surfacemeans, wherein said sixth outer surface means comprises a sixth arcuateouter surface portion, wherein said sixth longitudinally extendingsection carries said sixth arcuate outer surface portion, wherein saidfirst body section and said fourth body section meet each other as toform said first longitudinally extending juncture, wherein said thirdbody section and said sixth body section meet each other as to formsecond longitudinally extending juncture spaced from and generallyopposite to said first longitudinally juncture, wherein said first bodysection and said body second section meet each other as to form a thirdlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said second body section andsaid third body section meet each other as to form a fourthlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said fourth body section andsaid fifth body section meet each other as to form a fifthlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said fifth body section andsaid sixth body section meet each other as to form a sixthlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said third longitudinallyextending juncture is spaced from generally opposite to said fifthlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said fourth longitudinallyextending juncture is spaced from and generally opposite to said sixthlongitudinally extending juncture, and wherein said chamber is at leastin part collectively defined by all of said body sections and extendsbetween said first and second longitudinally extending junctures betweensaid third and fifth longitudinally extending junctures and extendsbetween said fourth and sixth longitudinally extending junctures.
 10. Anelectrical service housing mountable in walls and cielings, comprising amain body, said main body comprising at least first and secondlongitudinally extending body portions, said first body portioncomprising first outer surface means, wherein said first outer surfacemeans comprises a first arcuate outer surface portion, said second bodyportion comprising second outer surface means, wherein said second outersurface means comprises a second arcuate outer surface portion, whereinsaid first and second body portions meet each other as to form at leastone longitudinally extending juncture, end wall means formed generallytransverse to said first and second longitudinally extending bodyportions and to said at least one longitudinally extending juncture,said end wall means being joined to said first and second longitudinallyextending body portions and to said at least one longitudinallyextending juncture as to be situated generally at a first relativelyrearward end of said first and second longitudinally extending bodyportions, wherein said first and second longitudinally extending bodyportions and said end wall means collectively at least in part definechamber means, wherein said chamber means has an access opening at anend thereof which is relatively forward and oppositely disposed to saidfirst relatively rearward end and said end walls means, wherein saidaccess opening and said chamber means are effective for at least thepartial reception therein of at least one associated electrical device,wherein said at least one longitudinally extending juncture somewhatprojects inwardly of said chamber means, wherein the distance by whichsaid longitudinally extending juncture projects inwardly of said chambermeans is such as not to cause physical interference with said at leastone associated electrical device, wherein said first longitudinallyextending body portion comprises first second and third longitudinallyextending body sections joined together, wherein said firstlongitudinally extending body section carries said first arcuate outersurface portion, wherein said second longitudinally extending bodysection comprises third outer surface means, wherein said third outersurface means comprises a third arcuate outer surface portion, whereinsaid second longitudinally extending body section carries said thirdarcuate outer surface portion, wherein said third longitudinallyextending body section comprises fourth outer surface means, whereinsaid fourth outer surface means comprises a fourth arcuate outer surfaceportion, wherein said third longitudinally extending body sectioncarries said fourth arcuate outer surface portion, wherein said secondbody portion comprises fourth fifth and sixth longitudinally extendingbody sections joined together, wherein said fourth longitudinallyextending body section carries said second arcuate outer surfaceportion, wherein said fifth longitudinally extending body sectioncomprises fifth outer surface means, wherein said fifth outer surfacemeans comprises a fifth arcuate outer surface portion, wherein saidfifth longitudinally extending body section carries said fifth arcuateouter surface portion, wherein said sixth longitudinally extending bodysection comprises sixth outer surface means, wherein said sixth outersurface means comprises a sixth arcuate outer surface portion, whereinsaid sixth longitudinally extending body section carries said sixtharcuate outer surface portion, wherein said third body section and saidsixth body section meet each other as to form a second longitudinallyextending juncture spaced from and generally opposite to said at leastone longitudinally extending juncture, wherein said first body sectionand said second body section meet each other as to form a thirdlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said second body section andsaid third body section meet each other as to form a fourthlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said fourth body section andsaid fifth body section meet each other as to form a fifthlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said fifth body section andsaid sixth body section meet each other as to form a sixthlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said third longitudinallyextending juncture is spaced from and generally opposite to said fifthlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said fourth longitudinallyextending juncture is spaced from and generally opposite to said sixthlongitudinally extending juncture, and further comprising at least sixprojections carried by said end wall means and extending relativelyrearwardly thereof, at least a first axis defining the center ofcurvature of said first arcuate outer surface portion, at least a secondaxis defining the center of curvature of said second arcuate outersurface portion, at least a third axis defining the center of curvatureof said third arcuate outer surface portion, at least a fourth axisdefining the center of curvature of said fourth arcuate outer surfaceportion, at least a fifth axis defining the center of curvature of saidfifth arcuate outer surface portion, at least a sixth defining thecenter of curvature of said sixth arcuate outer surface portion, whereinsaid axes are spaced from generally parallel to each other, wherein afirst of said at least six projections extends relatively rearwardlygenerally along said first axis, wherein a second of said at least sixprojections extends relatively rearwardly generally along said secondaxis, wherein a third of said at least six projections extendsrelatively rearwardly generally along said third axis, wherein a fourthof said at least six projections extends relatively rearwardly generallyalong said fourth axis, wherein a fifth of said at least six projectionsextends relatively rearwardly generally along said fifth axis, andwherein a sixth of said at least six projections extends relativelyrearwardly generally along said sixth axis, said first second thirdfourth fifth and sixth projections when urged against a relatedstructure being effective to create on said related structure respectivelocating marks representative of said first second third fourth fifthand sixth axes.
 11. An electrical service housing according to claim 9and further comprising flange means carried by said main body in thevicinity of said access opening and extending generally transversely ofsaid first and second longitudinally extending body portions.
 12. Anelectrical service according to claim 11 wherein said flange means isintegrally formed with said main body.
 13. An electrical service housingaccording to claim 11 wherein said flange means comprises a flangegenerally circumscribing said access opening.
 14. An electrical servicehousing according to claim 13 wherein said flange is integrally formedwith said main body.
 15. An electrical service housing mountable inwalls and cielings, comprising a main body, said main body comprising atleast first and second longitudinally extending body portions, saidfirst body portion comprising first outer surface means, wherein saidfirst outer surface means comprises a first arcuate surface portion,said second body portion comprising second outer surface means, whereinsaid second outer surface means comprises a second arcuate outer surfaceportion, wherein said first and second body portions meet each other asto form a first longitudinally extending juncture, end wall means formedgenerally transverse to said first and second longitudinally extendingbody portions and to said first longitudinally extending juncture, saidend wall means being joined to said first and second longitudinallyextending body portions and to said first longitudinally extendingjuncture as to be situated generally at a first relatively rearward endof said first and second longitudinally extending body portions, whereinsaid first and second longitudinally extending body portions and saidend wall means collectively at least in part define chamber means,wherein said chamber means has an access opening at an end thereof whichis relatively forward and oppositely disposed to said first relativelyrearward end and said end wall means, wherein said access opening andsaid chamber means are effective for at least the partial receptiontherein of at least one associated electrical device, wherein said firstlongitudinal extending juncture somewhat projects inwardly of saidchamber means, wherein said first and second body portions meet eachother as to form a second longitudinally extending juncture, whereinsaid end wall means is also generally transverse to said secondlongitudinally extending juncture, wherein said end wall means is alsojoined to said second longitudinally extending juncture, wherein saidsecond longitudinally extending juncture somewhat projects inwardly ofsaid chamber means, wherein the distance between said first and saidsecond longitudinally extending junctures permits the acceptancetherebetween of said at least one associated electrical device, whereinsaid first and second longitudinally extending junctures are inclinedtoward each other as to be generally closer to each other the furtherspaced from said access opening, and wherein as said first and secondbody portions longitudinally extend from said access opening toward saidend wall means each of said first and second longitudinally extendingbody portions taper generally inwardly of said chamber means.
 16. Anelectrical service housing according to claim 15 wherein said end wallmeans is of fixed configuration integrally formed with both said firstand second longitudinally extending body portions and formed generallytransverse to said first and second longitudinally extending bodyportions and to said first and second longitudinally extendingjunctures.
 17. An electrical service housing according to claim 15wherein when viewed in cross-section transverse to said firstlongitudinally extending body portion said first arcuate outer surfaceportion comprises a first cylindrical outer surface portion, and whereinwhen viewed in cross-section transverse to said second longitudinallyextending body portion said second arcuate outer surface portioncomprises a second cylindrical outer surface portion.